Contact a staff member at your Girl Scout council to find out how to refer the girl and her parent/guardian to experts at school or in the community.
Share your concern with the girl’s family, if this is feasible.
If you believe a child is at risk and it is not feasible to share your concern with her family, get the information you need to make a report.
How to Report Suspected Child Maltreatment:
National: The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with professional crisis counselors who have access to emergency, social service, and support resources. All calls are anonymous. Contact them at (800) 4-A-CHILD or (800) 422-4453.
Colorado: The Colorado Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline, 844-CO-4-Kids.
The hotline serves as a direct, immediate and efficient route to the counties, which are responsible for accepting and responding to child abuse and neglect inquiries and reports. All hotline calls will be routed to the county where a child resides.
CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION AND REPORTING POLICY
Maintaining a safe and nurturing environment for children participating in Girl Scouts of Colorado programs is the top priority and the responsibility of all employees and volunteers. Any actions which could harm or endanger a child are strictly prohibited, and all suspected child abuse must be reported immediately. Sexual advances, improper touching, and sexual activity of any kind with girl members, as well as physical, verbal and emotional abuse of girls is strictly forbidden. Girl Scouts of Colorado has zero tolerance for all forms of abuse. Suspected child abuse by an employee, volunteer, or any other party engaging with Girl Scouts must be reported immediately to the Chief Risk Management Officer at risk.management@gscolorado.org.
If an employee or volunteer believes a girl is in immediate danger, they should call 911 immediately.
The Girl Scouts of Colorado will not tolerate:
• Infliction of any abusive behavior or bodily injury upon children; including sexual and physical abuse or molestation.
• Neglect of children, including failure to provide adequate safety measures, care, and
supervision in relation to Girl Scout activities; or
• Emotional maltreatment of children, including verbal abuse and/or verbal attacks.
Additional information and definitions on the types of abuse can be found by following the below links:
Emotional Abuse
Physical Abuse
Sexual Abuse
Child Trafficking
The Girl Scouts of Colorado reserves the right to refuse membership, to dismiss, or to exclude from affiliation with the Girl Scouts of Colorado, any employee or volunteer who has been convicted of child abuse or neglect.
Alleged Abuse by Employee or Volunteer
If you have reason to suspect an employee or volunteer of child abuse or neglect, immediately notify the Chief Risk Management Officer at risk.management@gscolorado.org of the suspicion. They will guide you to complete an incident report.
The Chief Risk Management Officer will make a report to the applicable Department of Human Services and/or police within 24 hours of receiving the report. They will stay in communication and follow-up with the authorities on the status of the investigation. The employee or volunteer suspected of child abuse will be removed from any duties that require contact with children during the investigation. Other appropriate action may be taken, up to and including termination of employment or volunteer role.
All employees are required to sign an acknowledgement that they have read and understand their responsibility to report any suspected child abuse. Any employee who is found to have violated this policy and procedure will be subject to immediate disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.
GSCO does not tolerate retaliation. No one who in good faith reports a violation shall suffer harassment, retaliation or adverse employment consequence.
